Hi,
Great forum heaps of info! I didn't end up building a home, I instead purchased an existing home within the Hills District of Sydney. Anyway I'm trying to save the lawn back yard lawn so I don't have to replace it with turf. I'm too embarrassed to show the front yard. I won't mention the front lawn as it's a shocker! I'm planning on laying turf next year out the front. Apparently the previous owners laid turf but never spent time looking after it.
I know the lawn is some variant of Buffalo.
http://s22.postimg.org/xbzwwvjtd/20131016_184109.jpg
http://s12.postimg.org/q0nbuocn1/20131016_184138.jpg
I've been watering it well for a few hours in the late afternoon twice a week for a few weeks now. I did a pH test & it read 6.5, so from my understanding I don't need to raise or lower the pH of the soil.
The soil is a little compacted in areas. So on the weekend I'm going to aerate the soil with a garden fork. I was planning on fertilising with Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Fertilizer. Last Friday I sprayed Yates Buffalo Pro Hose-on Weedkiller to try & get rid of the weeds before I fertilizer. I noticed a few weeds going brown this morning. It did say it can take up to three weeks. As long has you don't Fertilizer for seven days.
I've been researching for a awhile now. But only recently being reading here regarding lawns. It seems Powerfeed is highly recommended. But I was always thinking of putting down a slow-release fertilizer.
Anyway I'm sure my approach is OK, but if I can receive some constructive criticism it would greatly appreciated.
Cheers